Federation backs ump in Williams dispute

The International Tennis Federation is defending the chair umpire who gave Serena Williams three code violations during the U.S. Open final, saying his “decisions were in accordance with the relevant rules.” Williams was cited by Carlos Ramos on Saturday during her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka. Citations were for getting coaching signals, breaking her racket, which cost her a point, and calling Ramos a thief, which cost her a game. On Sunday, the tournament referee docked Williams $10,000 for “verbal abuse” of the chair umpire, $4,000 for being warned for coaching and $3,000 for breaking her racket. The ITF said: “Ramos undertook his duties as an official according to the relevant rule book and acted at all times with professionalism and integrity.”